Dr. Suwaiba Ahmad, Minister of State for Education, dropped a bombshell at an extraordinary meeting of the National Council on Education (NCE) in Abuja. She boldly suggested a reversal of Nigeria’s National Language Policy (NLP), limiting the use of mother tongue instruction to Early Childhood Care Development and Education (ECCDE) and Primary One. Yes, you read that right—just one year of indigenous language learning, and then it’s back to English dominance!
This unexpected move sent shockwaves through the educational sector, leaving language scholars, policymakers, and cultural enthusiasts bewildered. Have we learned nothing from decades of research? Countless studies confirm that children grasp mathematics, science, and literacy faster when taught in their mother tongue. The late education icon, Professor Babs Fafunwa, championed this cause with ground-breaking initiatives proving that indigenous languages enhance cognitive development. Now, we stand at the brink of discarding years of progress because of so-called ‘implementation challenges.’
Dr. Ahmad argues that Nigeria’s linguistic diversity—boasting over 500 languages—makes implementation complicated. She also points to a shortage of instructional materials. But here’s the real question: since when did challenges become an excuse for retreat? Is it not the role of policymakers to tackle obstacles head-on rather than surrendering at the first sign of difficulty? If the implementation is flawed, fix it—don’t erase the policy!
Instead of advocating for reversal, the minister should be investigating the effectiveness of the National Institute for Nigerian Languages (NINLAN) in Aba, which was specifically established in 1993 to address these concerns. What has been done to support NINLAN in producing textbooks, training teachers, and promoting indigenous languages? Moreover, has the Federal Ministry of Education fully enforced the National Language Policy Implementation Guideline (NLPIG)? Avoiding problems through policy abandonment is not just a lazy approach—it’s a dangerous one.
Let’s not forget that the National Language Policy is not an arbitrary decision. It is deeply embedded in various national frameworks, from the National Policy on Education (NPE) to the National Broadcasting Code and even the Nigerian Constitution. Section 97 of the 1999 Constitution explicitly states that state legislatures may conduct business in indigenous languages. Furthermore, in 2022, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) took a bold step by approving mother tongue as the primary medium of instruction for the first six years of basic education. The rationale was simple yet profound: teaching children in their mother tongue before transitioning to English ensures stronger literacy skills and deeper cultural appreciation.
Now, imagine the consequences of reversing this policy. Picture a Nigeria where indigenous languages slowly fade into oblivion, where children grow up detached from their cultural roots, where traditions are buried under the weight of foreign tongues. The numbers are already grim—29 Nigerian languages are on the brink of extinction, and a 2006 UNESCO report warned that the Igbo language could vanish within 50 years. Are we truly ready to accelerate this tragic loss?
Ministers and policymakers must recognize the gravity of their decisions. Instead of erasing progress, they should seek expert guidance and reinforce language preservation efforts. Education reform is not about taking the easy way out; it’s about crafting solutions that work for the nation’s long-term benefit. Nigeria must protect its linguistic heritage, not abandon it.
So here’s the final word: reversing the mother tongue policy is not just a bad idea—it’s a betrayal of our cultural identity. Let’s uphold, refine, and implement the policy, not discard it. The mother tongue is the soul of a people; let’s not let it wither away.
